The three ministers had sought an urgent meeting with the commissioner to discuss their joint concerns over confusing figures from the European Commission, published on November 24, which indicate additional reductions in fishing time next year for Scottish, English and Northern Irish vessels.

Following the talks in Brussels on Monday evening, Mr Lochhead said: "We have agreed with the Commission to jointly work together to see if there is a way that we can continue to reward the fleet for cod avoidance measures and not get tied up in regulations that everyone agrees are flawed.

"We will find out in the coming weeks if a sensible way out of this complex situation can be found."